AI agents call ism_search to retrieve information from Ism without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
The tool searches/queries an information security manual for control discovery. This is a retrieval operation with no side effects—it reads data without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing actions. The lower confidence (0.75 vs 0.95) reflects the missing description, but the server context and function name provide sufficient evidence to classify as Read with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'ism_search' with verb 'search' and context as 'query layer over the ASD Information Security Manual' indicates retrieval of information.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
ism_search. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Ism MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Ism MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ism_search: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Ism. Nothing to install.
ism_search is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the ism_search rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for ism_search. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
ism_search is provided by the Ism MCP server (samueldudley/ism-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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